comment

Two Wallington parents were charged with child endangerment and drug possession after their infant was found unresponsive last week, authorities said.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced that:

Joseph Chmielewski, 40, an unemployed grocery clerk was charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a child

Juliann Garner-Chmielewski, 35, an unemployed logistics manager, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, possession of drug paraphernalia and a disorderly persons offense

On Feb. 9, a 9-1-1 call was placed from the couple's Strong Street home, reporting an unresponsive infant in medical distress, Calo said.

The infant was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, authorities said.

A three-day investigation that is ongoing found that both Chmielewskis are the baby's parents and that they failed to seek medical attention for their child, Calo said.

The investigation, is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the Wallington Police Department under the direction of Chief Carmello Imbruglia, according to the acting prosecutor.